Publications
Contributed by: Allison Arthur-Young and David Alley
Published on: April 07, 2017
The Resource Legislation Amendment Bill (Bill) has passed into law with the support of the Māori Party. In exchange for its support, the Māori Party secured two last minute concessions strengthening provisions providing for Māori involvement in decision-making and allowing councils to ban GM crops in their region without being over-ruled by the Minister through their regulation-making powers. The version of the Bill that was passed can be found here. The bulk of the Bill remains mostly unchanged from the original version.
The passage of this legislation is the latest in a suite of reforms of the RMA, often designed to tackle particular regional issues or to fix what is often just symptomatic of under resourced councils. In our view, the result is an unwieldy and inelegant piece of legislation that has moved far beyond its original intent.
A major rethink is required – whether that means binning the RMA and starting fresh, or taking a hard and principled look at the RMA and enacting further reforms, will be a matter for Parliament to consider following the election.
This publication is intended only to provide a summary of the subject covered. It does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. No person should act in reliance on any statement contained in this publication without first obtaining specific professional advice. If you require any advice or further information on the subject matter of this newsletter, please contact the partner/solicitor in the firm who normally advises you, or alternatively contact one of the partners listed below.
Partner, Environment, Planning and Natural Resources
Partner
Environment, Planning and Natural Resources